THE STUDIO

Iriarte Iriarte is an independent design studio based in Barcelona, creating contemporary leather objects designed to evolve with time.

Every collection begins with an idea rather than a seasonal brief. Inspired by architecture, cinema, literature and everyday observations, each project explores the relationship between concept, material and function. We are interested in objects that remain relevant beyond seasons, pieces that become more personal through use.

The objects we live with hold meaning. They quietly become part of our everyday lives, collecting memories, marks and stories over time. Like the leather they are made from, they are designed to age beautifully.

IT ALL STARTED IN BARCELONA, BACK IN 2009.

It began in a small shop hidden in one of the narrow streets of El Born. The ground floor was open to visitors, while the mezzanine above served as the workshop. Visitors entered through the shop; upstairs, every bag was designed, cut, stitched and finished by hand. The two existed as one, a place where ideas were imagined, made and shared under the same roof.

Originally from Buenos Aires, Carolina Iriarte studied Fine Arts before settling in Barcelona. Her first experience with leather came while working for a shoe designer, where she discovered the possibilities of the material and developed the foundations of her craft.

In those early years, every piece was made entirely by hand using only a handful of tools. Working on such a small scale meant that leather suppliers required minimum orders far beyond what the young studio could afford. Instead of limiting the collection, Carolina bought all the leather in its natural state and dyed it by hand in the workshop, creating a palette of colours from a single material. What began as a practical solution became part of the studio's experimental spirit.

While everything still happened inside that small mezzanine workshop, the work began attracting unexpected international attention. Within its first year, Iriarte Iriarte was featured by The New York Times and The Observer, followed by publications including Vogue and Glamour. Soon afterwards, the studio was invited to present at a trade fair during Paris Fashion Week. As interest grew, the studio gradually evolved from a one-person workshop into a collaborative practice, while remaining intentionally small.

BETWEEN BARCELONA AND UBRIQUE

Today, every Iriarte Iriarte piece is made in Spain using Spanish vegetable-tanned leather.

Free from chromium and synthetic chemicals, vegetable tanning preserves the natural character of the leather, allowing it to develop a rich patina over time. Rather than resisting age, it embraces it.

We produce in small batches, working closely with local suppliers and skilled artisans who share our commitment to thoughtful design, precision and longevity.

Our collections are brought to life in collaboration with Paco and his family-run workshop in Ubrique, in the south of Spain, a town internationally known for its centuries-old leather tradition. Every lock is designed by us, reflecting our belief that even the smallest details deserve the same care as the object itself.

HEADQUARTERS (STUDIO/STORE)

For the past five years, our headquarters have been located in another space in El Born, where the same dialogue between making and sharing continues.

The store opens onto the street, while behind it the studio remains an active place of research, prototyping and experimentation. Every collection begins here, evolving through sketches, paper models and prototypes before becoming part of the collection.

More than a showroom, the space reflects the way we work. Alongside the collection, it hosts exhibitions, pop-ups, concerts and collaborations with artists, designers and makers, an open environment where ideas are exchanged as naturally as objects.

Some stay with us. Others become part of who we are. That is what we hope to make.